2-time Olympian ‘Boy’ Marquez passes away; PBA pays tribute

Former PBA player Alfonso “Boy” Marquez. PBA WEBSITE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The late Alfonso “Boy” Marquez was already at the tailend of his career when he saw action in the PBA.

Marquez, who died last Wednesday at the age of 82, played just two PBA seasons and appeared in only 19 games for Mariwasa in 1976.

His short PBA stint may not be a memorable one, but the league made sure that his contributions to Philippine basketball won’t be forgotten as it paid tribute to one of the country’s legends in the sport.

“The PBA came a bit late for Marquez, a sweet-shooting guard from Zamboanga who played college ball for University of Visayas,” the league said in a story on its website.

“But there was no doubt at the peak of his playing career, Marquez was one of the best in the country who played in the 19§0 and 1968 Olympics and Rome and Mexico, respectively.”

Apart from suiting up in the Olympics, Marquez also made the national team roster that participated in the 1959 Fiba World Championship (Fiba World Cup) in Chile.

He also won a pair of gold medals in the 1960 and 1967 Fiba Asia Championship (Fiba Asia Cup).

The 6-foot-1 Marquez then, took his act in the defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) where he won six titles.